Ali Wang Wang - Alibaba IM Tool Enters Online Ad Market

"Ali Wang Wang," the instant messaging (IM) tool of Alibaba Group's software subsidiary Alisoft, announced Tuesday June 9 that it has entered the online ad market by launching a platform that will target IM users with customized advertising, reports Sina. An Alisoft representative denied speculation that it is developing a new profit model through advertising. In the past, Alisoft was cautious about online ads and user experience; now, however, IM users and client requests have reached a sufficient amount, said a related employee.

Ali Wang Wang had recorded 130 million users and more than 70 million monthly active users by late May, according to Alisoft statistics. The IM tool had more than 100 million registered users in December 2008.

P&G to Open First Online China Store on Taobao Mall

Procter & Gamble (P&G) (NYSE:PG) kicked off its first online marketing trial in China with the opening of an online store on Taobao Mall, a business-to-consumer service of Alibaba's consumer-focused e-commerce site Taobao.com, reports Beijing Business Today.

The store sells daily necessities like shampoos, lotions and shavers for 20-30% below market price, said the report. P&G previously marketed its products online in South Korea, said the report.

Jack Ma Gives Students 100 Shares of Alibaba.com in Alibaba Annaul Meeting

Hong Kong – May 7, 2009 – At most annual meetings, the chairman gives out stock advice but today Jack Ma of Alibaba.com surprised 80 business school students with a gift of 100 shares. The students from Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong were invited to attend Alibaba.com’s second annual general meeting along with 300 shareholders, customers and other guests.

Ma, a former English teacher who founded Alibaba Group a decade ago, told the students he hoped the gift would give them a strong personal incentive to follow not just the performance of Alibaba.com, but also deepen their interest in business and entrepreneurship. The shares came from Alibaba Group and are tradable stock of Alibaba.com.

On Wednesday, Alibaba.com said revenue for the first quarter rose 19 percent to RMB807 million from RMB680 million a year earlier. The company’s total number of Chinese exporter customers jumped 96% year on year to 55,810 on the introduction of its new entry-level product Gold Supplier Starter Pack and registered users topped 40 million.

Global Sources to participate with Pacific Brands in Private Sourcing Event

Jun 01, 2009 - Global Sources (Nasdaq:GSOL), a business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China, has announced that Pacific Brands (Australia:PBG), Australia based marketer and importer of consumer goods, met pre-screened mainland China suppliers at the company's Custom Private Sourcing Event in Xiamen held on 19 May 2009. Private Sourcing Events are part of the company's portfolio of brands for sourcing and product information services, which include Global Sources Online, China Sourcing Fairs and Global Sources monthly magazines.

Pacific Brands, which represents brands in Australia, including Berlei, Bonds, Clarks (children's), Dunlop, Everlast, Grosby, Holeproof, Hush Puppies, King Gee, Mooks, Mossimo, Sheridan, Slazenger, Sleepmaker, Tontine and Yakka, had sales of over USD1.63bn in 2008.

According to Adrian Barratt, general manager of Pacific Brands (Asia), the sourcing event was useful as the company was able to meet suppliers with different backgrounds in an organised manner, and this supported its sourcing strategy.

With the participation in the Private Sourcing event, Pacific Brands has reportedly opened trade opportunities to suppliers of baby wear, work wear and men's and women's underwear.

Global Sources said that over 100 Private Sourcing Events are planned for 2009, with buyers including Carrefour, Tesco (LSE:TSCO), Metro and The Home Depot (NYSE:HD) scheduled to participate.

All Private Sourcing Events are complimentary for buyers and only Global Sources suppliers are eligible to participate.